Full-face visor, head frame and scratch guard
Our visor is a design which we have been marketing for years (over 10 000 sold). It is made by heat-forming 5mm untreated polycarbonate in special ovens.
Each visor is numbered for identification and replacement purposes. Polycarbonate degrades in sunlight so we recommend that visors should usually be replaced each year - a recommendation also made by UNMAS.
The visor has a head-frame that is made from ballistic polyamide for durability, and covered with waterproof nylon. The fixings are made from heat-formed polycarbonate, which provides durability and the flexibility to adjust to any head size. Inside the head-frame is a removable washable sweatband to add to the wearer’s comfort. The straps are fastened with velcro and so are readily adjustable, allowing the visor to be shared within a demining set when that is wanted.
An optional Scratch Shield is available. This is a thin sheet of polycarbonate that mounts securely over the visor to protect it from scratches during use, storage and transport. It has also been shown to add to the overall balistic performance of the visor as can be seen below, although we make no claims for this in our specifications. The shield is easily replaceable when required.
Our head-frame design was immediately popular and has been shamelessly copied by other manufactuers. Copying is, of course, the most sincere form of praise.
The complete visor weighs around 1kg (2.2 lbs). An optional cotton sun-hat gives full shade to the wearer’s head and neck.
A short visor for dog-handlers was made by request. Notice that the lower edge is tilted toward the face to limit the risk of debris getting through to the eyes. The same head-frame was used.
Note how in all modelled images the visor extends well above the crown of the wearers head, negating the use of a helmet as an additional protective measure.
POST BLAST VISOR IMAGES
The images above are of a visor fitted with a scratch shield after having been subjected to the blast from a PMD6 AP mine. It was at a distance of 75cm, measured diagonaly from the blast centre, in the main cone of the blast and mounted on a steel framed dummy. Removal of the shield shows the unexpected level of protection provided in this particular blast. In an emergency, the visor could have been returned to service immediately.
(The test results are by courtesy of the Southern African Development Committee and were conducted in Chimoio, Mozambique.)